NAME:
Riley Leboe

NICKNAME:
Rieboe, Taibo, Plywood

DATE OF BIRTH / BIRTHPLACE:
January 18, 1988 / Quesnel, BC.

SUMMER HOME:
Squamish, BC

WINTER HOME:
Squamish, BC

WEBSITE:
rileyleboe.com

RIDING SINCE?
I was 5

HOME RESORT:
Whistler/Blackcomb

SPONSORS:
ARMADA skis and clothing, Adidas Eyewear, Rockstar Energy, Tyrolia Bindings, Contour HD, Toyo Tires, Backcountry Access, Whistler/Blackcomb, Voleurz

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW SNOW?
Being born in January it was when I left the hospital. Luckily there was snow because my mom dropped me on my head but there was 2 feet of fresh snow on the ground to cushion my fall…

IN YOUR GEAR BAG?
195 AKJJ (the best damn ski in the world by the way!), 185 JJ, 185 ARG, Pipe Cleaners for the rare day I hit the park.

YOUR FAVORITE TERRAIN TO RIDE?
I like exploring new terrain on my M8. It’s so cool to roll up on the sled to a new zone you’ve never skied before. It’s kind of like a blank canvas that you can go rip to shreds.

WHAT WAS YOUR HIGH FROM THIS PAST SEASON OF 10/11?
My last heli shoot with PBP was the highlight of the season. It was late April and we weren’t sure if we were going to find some good snow. I was with Dane Tudor, Tyler Hamlet and Brandon Kelly. We hit some amazing lines and shot with the door off the heli all day. Got a few shots from that day for sure. I was pumped!

AND THE LOW?
I had an injury while I was up shooting north of Pemberton, BC. I had a great morning and stomped a really nice line. Then I t’d up a cliff with an awesome flat take-off. Really cool line with a nice spine all the way down to a 40 or 50 footer. I knew I had to ski off the cliff slow because the tranny was pretty small. It felt like a slow take-off, I set my 360, felt good in the air but I knew I was going big. I still went to stomp but twisted and tomahawked pretty hard. I dropped about 70ft and went over 20ft bigger than I wanted. Sprained my MCL and bruised my Meniscus which put me out for Cold Rush. But I recovered quick and finished off the season.

FAVORITE SKIER OF THIS PAST SEASON?
I’ve only seen shots from the people I’ve been riding with but I’ve gotta say Dane Tudor did some pretty crazy shit when we were riding together.

HOW WOULD SOMEONE ELSE DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
This is always a tough question. I guess I would hope someone would describe me as smooth but agressive. A well-rounded skier that likes to have a good time?

FILMING CREW, AND WHAT MAKES THEM YOUR CHOICE TO WORK WITH?
I’ve shot with PBP for the past 3 seasons and we have a really tight group we shred with. It usually consists of Mike Henitiuk, Dane Tudor, Charley Ager, Brandon Kelly, Josh Stack and Tyler Hamlet. We’ve been skiing and sledding together so long that it feels like we’re just going for a shred day with friends. Rarely does it feel like there is any work involved…

INFLUENCES IN SKIING:
So many people. The biggest have been my friends I’ve skied with forever. Justin Dorey, Joe Schuster, Josh Bibby, TJ Schiller, Mike Henitiuk, the list goes on. I take so much from watching everyone ski, I appreciate everyones style and the way they look at the mountains.

WORST TREND IN SKIING?
Still Tall T’s. I wish it would just go away.

WHAT WAS THE MOMENT OF THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGH IN YOUR SKIING PROGRESSION?
When you guys sent me my first pair of JJ’s. No doubt, that was it.

SKI PIPE & SLOPESTYLE IS OLYMPIC IN 2014. HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU?
I’m so stoked Slopestyle is being included in the Olympics. It won’t be long and I’ll be planning my trip to Sochi to watch my best friends compete in both slope and halfpipe. I know it’s many athletes and many of my friends dream and goal to compete on that stage and now they have the chance to. These 3 years leading up to the games are going to be very important. The athletes have to be very involved to ensure that things like the course layouts and features don’t become standardized.

WHAT DREW YOU TO BE APART OF THE ARMADA FAMILY?
Family is probably the best word to describe Armada. Being able to work with a company that actually listens to ideas and wants your input is so huge! I’m working with my friends.

INFLUENCES OUTSIDE OF SKIING?
Sports like surfing where the movement and interaction between the surroundings are so different. Seeing how they move and approach their sports can be transferred into my skiing style.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST INTERESTING JOB EVER?
I sold cars for 2 summers to help pay for my skiing in the winter. I met the craziest people. When you are dealing with that many people every week you meet the funniest people.

THE THING YOU DISLIKE THE MOST?
Shitty drivers that don’t move into the right lane and let people pass.

THE THING THAT HURTS THE MOST?
Getting to the trailhead and realizing you don’t have sled oil or your sled key.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS?
Coffee and Apple Fritter from the Husky Gas Station the morning of a big sled day. Both are very good.

WAKE UP CALL ON YOUR CELL PHONE?
Summer it’s at 8:30 but winter it could be as early as 4:00 am. You gotta work for those shots and get to those zones…

YOUR FIRST CAR?
A 1978 Toyota Corolla I bought from my grandpa for $10 when I was 13. I sold it for $400 bucks and bought a Toyota 4Runner for $1200. I sold that 4Runner for $7600. I bought and sold vehicles to make money while I was in school. I probably flipped 4 or 5 cars before I could actually drive one.

ONE THING YOU HAVE TO HAVE?
A snowmobile. Preferably an Arctic Cat M8.

OTHER SPORTS?
Surfing, Wake Surfing, Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, Golf, Hunting, Camping, Outdoors stuff. I really enjoy leisure activities like Frisbee golf too.

WHAT DOES CREATIVITY MEAN TO YOU?
It means getting to a new zone and having the freedom to do whatever you’d like on any face, cliff, transition, etc. Creativity is taking that freedom and expressing yourself through it.

DO YOU HAVE A SECRET TALENT? IF YES, WHAT IS IT?
I can shotgun a beer using my thumb. No key or knife required.

YOUR FAVOURITE TV SERIES?
River Monsters! Jeremy Wade is a bad ass. I can’t get enough of that show.

BEST DISH YOU HAD AND WHERE?
Pretty tough to beat the steak and wine in Argentina. It will change your life.

SHOUT OUTS:
Armada! Adidas Eyewear, Tyrolia, Rockstar Energy, Contour HD, Toyo Tires, www.valleymotosport.com, Backcountry Access, Whistler Blackcomb. Everyone at Armada, all my friends, my family, my girlfriend, you all rock!

Coming Soon

2011:
‘That’s Fine’ — Voleurz
‘The Grand Bizarre’ — Poor Boyz Productions

2010:
‘Eye Trip’ — Level 1 Productions
‘Revolver’ — Poor Boyz Productions

2009:
‘Everyday is a Saturday’ — Poor Boyz Productions

2008:
‘Journal’ — Theory Three Media

2007:
‘PNW’ — Theory Three Media

2006:
‘Photoplay’ — Theory Three Media

2005:
‘Safety Meeting’ — Theory Three Media